Sibling stories create compelling stories, displaying this pleasant blend of magic and mischief. So how do siblings Sait, Kubbra, and Danish, known for making their own way in an evolving entertainment industry, come together as a unit?

“As kids in Bengaluru we both got attached to rakhis, but as we grew and traveled we got closer to each other without really needing a ritual,” explains actor and storyteller Kubbra, 38, on a blustery monsoon day in Mumbai.

“We are both individually responsible for our own actions, but we always support each other,” adds the 33-year-old Danish actor, writer and comedian, sitting next to his sister, highlighting the bandhan aspect of the much-loved festival. compared to that of the raksha. .

Of choice and voice

The theme of individual choice is deeply rooted in siblings, as evidenced by their professional trajectories. Kubbra first boarded a plane in 2005, moving from Bengaluru to Dubai to work in marketing for Microsoft. Five years later, she had set her sights on showbiz.

“When I found my feet in Mumbai, it wasn’t so much about making choices as it was about surviving here without a sponsor. I played the role of a domestic worker in the Salman Khan movie Ready (2011) first and was told that I would be cataloged for the rest of my life. I don’t think I need a medal to be brave, exceptional or outlier. Some might call it a scramble, but that’s what I do best, ”she says with her hallmark self-confidence. “Now I don’t have to go to a party to chat anymore – that was the advice I used to get earlier. The casting process is perfectly professional, and the right actors even shine in character roles.

Danish agrees. After a brief and unsatisfying banter with customer service and editorial staff, his career took an upward turn when he moved to Bahrain to work as a radio jockey – a job he ultimately quit because “he was doing too much. hot in the Middle East ”. But it is the digital domain at home that has earned him wide recognition.

“The OTT space has changed so many lives. My first film, Humble politician Nograj (2018), was the first Kannada film to premiere on Amazon Prime Video. My second film, French Biryani, was released last year during the pandemic as an Amazon exclusive; my third film will also be released on Amazon. And I live in Bangalore and I don’t frequent Mumbai. I’ve learned that if you have a clear idea and vision, people are willing to take you seriously.

While the Sait took their place in the 2010s, marginalized voices gradually asserted themselves in prestigious productions. For example, Kubbra’s portrayal of Kukoo – a transgender woman – in Netflix Sacred games (2018), became the catalyst for a conversation about gender identity and sexual orientation.

“A few months after the release of Sacred games, Article 377 was read and I was automatically made the poster child of the LGBTQIA movement. Suddenly there was this pressure to represent the community when all I wanted to do was play the character honestly. I knew that if I could tap into my vulnerability, I could tap into Kukoo’s vulnerability as well. After this experience, I educated myself and sensitized myself to be able to serve as an ally in the movement, ”she explains.

“Didi and I often debate this question”, asks Danois. “I admire him for giving back, but when it comes to certain issues, I prefer that opinions be limited to our circle of family and friends, where you are not afraid of being judged.” . But we can find a way to express opinions.

Dane’s popularity stems from his mastery of parody, fully exhibited in his “Conversations” video series where he portrays eccentric characters from Bengaluru. “I worked with The Improv team for many years in Bengaluru before leaving for New York to formalize my improvisation skills. This is where I learned the “Yes, and…” rule of improv comedy, where you build on a line of thinking suggested by a previous speaker, moving the story forward. I think this rule can be applied to any conversation. We spend too much time discussing problems instead of solving them, ”he says.

Come together

After launching a thousand brands between them as event hosts, the Saits have encountered their share of bizarre requests from corporate clients. “People asked us if we would offer them a package saying:”Ghar ki baat hai, na? ‘ We had to remind them that when it comes to paying taxes, we are not one entity but two, ”says Kubbra.

The closeness that the brothers and sisters share is palpable. But how do they navigate the social media space, where close relationships are now increasingly practiced?

“I use social media to express who I am and work comes to me as a by-product of that. So when I talk about having curly hair, my eating habits, or my fitness habits, people are inclined to associate their brands with me. This is exactly the opposite of what Dan does, ”Kubbra suggests.

“I use it for content distribution. I don’t feel the need to share things about my personal life online, ”says Danish.

Kubbra laughed sheepishly. “I was once so annoyed that he didn’t react to a photo I posted from Ireland that I unsubscribed and blocked him on Insta. But I was delighted when he followed me later.

“I told her she was my sister; I didn’t need to see his photos on Insta. Now my sister, my wife [Anya Rangaswami] and I have a WhatsApp group where all of these things are shared, ”he replies.

Regardless of the magnitude of their feud, the siblings are proud that they never needed an outside mediator.

“Our journey with sanity has gone beautifully,” Kubbra says with characteristic candor. “I think Danish knew he was depressed before everyone else, but I always thought he was taking action. And then a switch flipped and I was like oh my god – it’s depression. “

“She was the first person besides me to identify him,” Danish recalls.

“Yes, and very recently, as I was spending time with him, he realized that I was completely beside myself. He put me in touch with his therapist and followed me in exactly the same way I did when he was having problems. This deep connection is the essence of our relationship, ”Kubbra said.

From Brunch HT, August 22, 2021

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